A riposte to Mukhriz's defence of his dad's brain drain policies

Having got somewhat tired of the cesspool that has become of our politics, I found something to whet my appetite in reading Deputy Minister Mukhriz respond to Shaun Tan's essay (World Bank 2011 - Brain Drain)

Reading the writings of his (Mukhriz's) sister Marina, it is difficult to believe they are siblings! Maybe she took after her mother!

Coming back to Mukhriz's article he states that the NEP serves to "eradicate poverty, irrespective of race''. I believe we need to be convinced that the implementation matches the rhetoric. Sometimes it appears like "eradicate (some) race irrespective of poverty".

He contends that 70 % of our economy is private sector driven and not affected by NEP type policies. Then why cant all private sector companies bid for government projects or contracts? Take for example private sector developers. Can they sell their houses without imposition of a percentage for Bumiputras by local councils? Take the MNCs. Can they employ their management staff free of quotas?

When I got my first job in Malaysia, my expat MD told me that I got the job in part because they couldn't find a "chicken with teeth ' ( as he put it) That was in 1981!

He writes that he is pained to see structural discrimination being practised by those in the private sector.

No doubt, discrimination exists but lets look at the underlying reasons. After independence for 53 years, we are capable of looking at the larger picture. Private sector organisations are driven to make profits and they will employ people, consultants, systems that help meet that objective foremost. The ones most hungry, capable, honest, diligent, loyal and competent are always sought after. A competent Malay, capable Chinese, diligent Indian, loyal Eurasian put together in a team can be formidable. Even if one has one leg, 12 fingers or 3 kidneys, is he up to it and can he deliver?

This begs the question - who are hungry, capable, honest, diligent, loyal and competent? I suppose it depends to an extent through which lens one looks through. In the case of Ibrahim Ali, the lens will be as opaque and dense as that between his ears.

He attempts to have us believe that "the public sector (as the name implies) is open to public scrutinywhereas the private sector is 'kept nice and private'

For starters, the public sector is synonymous withe the OSA to many. We would like to scrutinise the accounts for example of some of the ministries - eg what it costs to run the NS.

Private (without govt. involvement) companies are not necessarily 'private'in many instances. Private sector companies which are listed are under very public scrutiny. On the contrary, 'public'corporations like Petronas are kept very private!!

An assertion is made that the wealthiest 20 in Malaysia are dominated by one race but argues that this isbecause of the conducive environment created by BN. With due respect, it should be stated as "DESPITE the environment created by BN". As I see it, with all the obstacles put in the way , they made it. It should be remembered that many of our 'businessmen' make a handsome sum clearing óbstacles'.

Tellingly, he states that the big corporations that secured gaming and telecommunication licences SURELY DID NOT GET THEIR BIG BREAKS PURELY ON MERIT ALONE! THEY WERE GIVEN IN EXCHANGE FOR THEIR IDEAS,ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND TAXES. That says it all doesn't it? What great idea is there in gaming? Was the exchange just ideas, entrepreneurship and taxes?

Deputy Minister Mukhriz refers to a pea to a durian example when relating to Singapore and Malaysia.To a degree he is right. But lets not forget that "pea'' was once part of our durian tree. In a biblical context, Jesus (Nabi Isa) asserted that if the tree bears bad/ no fruit, cut the tree!!!! ( which is what I did to my durian tree at home after waiting for years for it to bear fruit. Should have called it NEP tree!)

Towards the end of his article, he postulates that the government has to help rural folk keep up with the Joneses.I do believe most want dignity, basic amenities that work, good education, health services more than keeping up with the Joneses - or the Zakarias and Toyos.

Finally, he touches on the issue of corruption - by pointing the finger at the 'briber'. At least we agree that it takes two to tango . But lets stop the music and haul both the dancers into the sin bin. After all, the Mufti of Perak in his wisdom has outlawed the Poco Poco - lets extend it to the tango. Haramkan 'tango'!

What say you Mufti?

- Ice Cream Seller is the pen-name of a reader of Malaysia Chronicle